§ The Writs for the assembling of the new Parliament were made returnable on this day, and accordingly the Parliament assembled for the dispatch of business. It was opened by Commission, the Lords Commissioners being the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor, the Earl of Rosslyn, Lord Wharncliffe, and the Earl of Jersey.
The Lord Chancelloracquainted their Lordships, that his Majesty, not thinking fit to be personally present here this day, had been pleased to cause a Commission to be issued under the Great Seal, in order to the opening of and holding of this Parliament. The noble Lord commanded the Usher of the Black Rod to inform the Commons that "The Lords Commissioners desire the immediate attendance of the Commons to hear the Commission read."
The Commons appeared at their Lordships' Bar, preceded by Mr. Ley, the first Clerk at the Commons' Table.
The Lord Chancellorthen said,
"My Lords, and Gentlemen of the House of Commons; His Majesty, not thinking fit to be present here this day in his Royal person, hath been pleased, in order to the opening and holding of this Parliament, to cause Letters Patent to be 2 issued under his Great Seal, constituting us and several other Lords therein named, his Commissioners, to do all things in his Majesty's name on his part necessary to be performed in this Parliament. This will more fully appear by the Letters Patent themselves, which must now be read."
The Clerk read the Commission.
The Lord Chancellorthen spoke to the following effect:—
"My Lords and Gentlemen; We have it in command from his Majesty to let you know that his Majesty will, as soon as the Members of both Houses shall be sworn, declare to you the causes of his calling this Parliament; and, it being necessary that a Speaker of the House of Commons should be first chosen, it is his Majesty's pleasure that you, Gentlemen of the House of Commons, repair to the place where you are to sit, and there proceed to the choice of some proper person to be your Speaker; and that you present such person whom you may so choose here to-morrow, at three o'clock, for his Majesty's Royal approbation."
§ The Commons withdrew.
§ The Lord Chancellor took the Oaths, as did some other noble Lords.